Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail should shift towards the depoliticisation of the administration of justice by withdrawing all objections to the bail application of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim tomorrow, said an opposition leader.

DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang said there was "no good, honourable or credible reason in law and justice" to deny Anwar his constitutional right to freedom pending an appeal decision.

"(Except) through the improper depoliticisation of the administration of justice," he said in a statement today.

"The only credible reason which could be advanced for denying Anwar bail is that he could abscond from the country or not return after going abroad for his long-delayed medical treatment."

But Lim said that was "completely baseless and unfounded".

Last thing Anwar will do

He feels that no self-respecting politician would abscond in such circumstances as "he would be committing political suicide by destroying his entire political credibility, integrity and legitimacy".

"This is the last thing Anwar would do, as it would give his political enemies the opportunity to dismiss him as an opportunist, a coward and even a 'traitor'."

In Kuala Lumpur tomorrow, the Court of Appeal will hear Anwar's bail application pending his appeal against the earlier sodomy conviction and sentence.

The three-member bench will continue to hear Anwar's bail application and that of his co-accused, Sukma Darmawan Sasmitaat Madja (photo).

The 56-year-old former No 2 in the country was sentenced to nine years' jail while the latter received six years' imprisonment and four strokes of the rotan.

If bail is granted tomorrow, Anwar, who is suffering from a slipped disc in his back, would be able to undergo spinal surgery in Germany.

Abuse of court process

Lim said there have also been suggestions of granting 'conditional bail' such as banning Anwar from holding press conferences or conducting political activities.

"This would be an abuse of the court process, confirming that Anwar's prosecution, trial, conviction and sentence were purely politically-motivated than law-driven," he said.

"Whether Anwar can hold press conferences or carry out his constitutional right as a Malaysian to express his political views and mobilise public support is no business of the courts and should have no relevance whatsoever with his sodomy trial, appeal and bail."

He said tomorrow's hearing will again push Malaysia onto the international limelight with all the legal and judicial scrutiny homed in on the outcome of the case.

Anwar supporters see good signs that bail would be granted.